Cochrane reviews are considered by most to be the Gold standard in evidence based medicine. This resource is updated every three months and now has nearly 20,000 voluntary reviewers. As such, the Cochrane systematic reviews have a well deserved global reputation. One of the newest reviews that is getting a lot of press is Treatment blood pressure targets for hypertension. This study is particularly important as so many guidelines are recommending even lower blood pressure targets. The summary in this review states: "Main results No trials comparing different systolic BP targets were found. Seven trials (22,089 subjects) comparing different diastolic BP targets were included. Despite a -4/-3 mmHg greater achieved reduction in systolic/diastolic BP, p<>Authors' conclusions .Treating patients to lower than standard BP targets, ≤140-160/90-100 mmHg, does not reduce mortality or morbidity. Because guidelines are recommending even lower targets for diabetes mellitus and chronic renal disease, we are currently conducting systematic reviews in those groups of patients. "
SJO/CHOC library users can access the full Cochrane report through the library's web site: http://www.burlewmedicallibrary.org
1 comment:
That's interesting. I try not to lower my patient's blood pressure too far because the side effects will make them stop taking their meds. I'd rather have it a tiny bit high then have a patient become dizzy and pass out.
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